COMPUTER HEALTH TIPS
Sitting for long hours in front of your PC?

I think that if many of us were asked what one thing has had the greatest impact on our lives in modern times, we would likely say the computer. Over the past twenty years or so, computers have gone from being monstrous curiosities taking up the entire space in large rooms, to relatively small boxes on almost every desk. Along with smaller size and lower prices has come an explosion in the number of PC's, putting them within the reach of the vast majority of people.
The vast majority of us spend more than eight hours daily in front of the computer. But how do you feel afterwards? Our back and neck are aching? Fingers are stiff and eyes strained? Who hasn't felt that way before?

With the continuous increase in desk jobs and tasks that need to be executed by computers, most people spend more than eight hours per day sitting in front of a computer. Sometimes it is not even work and it is just surfing the Internet, chatting or playing games. All these activities consume time and when we usually ignore the proper posture and positioning of the computer. This inevitably strains our body. On the long run this can result in hand, back and eye problems. Here are some tips to minimize such problems:

• Try to get up and move every 30 minutes or so. Even if it's just to walk out of the room, or to go to the bathroom, give yourself an excuse to move your body frequently.
• Look away from the screen at least every 15 minutes and focus your eyes on something farther away. This gives the muscles in your eyes a chance to relax.
• Some experts say that looking down at your monitor strains your neck muscles (one suggestion is to set the top of the monitor level with the top of your head). But others disagree. Take the time to experiment and find a monitor height that's comfortable for you. You'll be surprised at how much this helps your back and neck.
• Be sure that there are no light sources behind you as you face the screens. Keep the light behind the monitors instead (in front of you) so that it can't bounce off the reflective surface of the screens and into your eyes. Reflections can cause eye fatigue faster than just about anything.
• Wrist injury can be weakening and long lasting. Try a foam wrist rest at your computer or office supply store and use it. You can also get a smaller wrist rest for your mouse hand. Your goal should be to keep your wrists straight. If you have persistent wrist pain, don't wait. See your doctor!
• If you are feeling back pain at the end of the day, the problem may be your chair. Experts disagree about some of the qualities that make a perfect computer chair, but in general, slouching is considered a bad thing, and sitting upright and fully supported is considered good. Get the best, most comfortable chair that you can afford. Shop carefully and find one that's right for you.
• If you are having persistent back, neck, shoulder, and eye or hand problems--see your doctor! Don't wait for a condition to become chronic. Problems caught early will be much easier to solve.